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- Tasks: Work on real engineering problems and develop test solutions for advanced radar systems.
- Company: Join Leonardo, a leader in innovation and global safety.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, mental health support, and access to 4,000+ online courses.
- Why this job: Gain hands-on experience and make a real impact on cutting-edge technology projects.
- Qualifications: Pursuing a degree in Software Engineering or related field; strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for career growth and mentorship from experienced engineers.
Job DescriptionYour impact
Are you ready to make an impact and gain hands-on experience working on real-world projects from day one?
At Leonardo, we\âre looking for summer placement students who want to be part of something biggerâshaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.
Our placements are designed to help you apply your studies in a practical setting, develop your technical skills, and gain valuable insight into how our business operates.
The 13-week Summer Industrial Placement ProgrammeWe have created a programme across our UK sites that not only increases your technical skills, but gives you the opportunity to work on meaningful real life projects, alongside experienced engineers and graduates across our business.
You will receive coaching and support to achieve your personal goals and work in multidisciplinary teams to gain as much experience across the product lifecycle from your time in industry as possible. Our ultimate aim is to see you through your undergrad years and successful placements will result in an offer to return for further placements or for an offer on our Graduate Development programme.
The programme will run from 1st June 2026 to 28th August 2026.
As a Summer Placement Test Software Engineer you will:Work on real engineering problems within either the Radar, Advanced Targeting or Support business areas. You will have the opportunity to be involved in supporting a wide range of tasks across multiple projects/products, such as:
Developing test solutions for:
Captor radar for the Typhoon fighter jet
Raven radar for the SAAB Gripen fighter jet
Our family of Surveillance AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radars
IRCM (Infra-Red Counter Measures) systems
Laser target designator or laser ranging systems
Defining software for our Future Test Software Architecture.
Advancing our results generation and analysis understanding.
Be involved in the investigation and implementation of our \âFuture Factory\â aspirations.
Within the Test Software Engineering community you will be given the opportunity to learn the skills required for software development, including developing practical skills in different software development environments, understanding of key technologies, developing experience using test programming tools to interface with instrumentation hardware. You will deliver technical reports and presentations on your work assignments to your supervisor and fellow placement students.
Most of your learning will be delivered via on the job experience by working on software development programmes within live projects delivering complex test solutions to our customers. Additional formal technical training will be provided as required.
You will work with an experienced engineer who will provide dayâtoâday guidance and will be introduced to test software engineering processes, methods, technology and tools, with particular emphasis placed on learning practical skills that may not be easily gained or experienced in the academic environment of a university.
What you\âll bringSkills, Qualifications and Experience
Currently undertaking a minimum of a Bachelors level degree Mechanical Engineering (or similar field).
Be a selfâmotivated individual, willing to take on new challenges and drive continuous personal development.
Strong communication skills across a variety of mediums i.e. written, verbal, digital, etc.
The ability to develop effective working relationships with peers and stakeholders.
Adaptable to the ever changing demands that will be encountered within the role.
Offer novel ideas and methods for solving technical problems, drawing on personal experiences and knowledge learned during academic studies.
Demonstrate relevant project work and/or placements in Industry are beneficial, but not essential.
Entry RequirementsAll of our placements should be working towards (a) a minimum of an upper Second class Bachelors/Integrated Masters degree, or (b) a higher degree, such as an MSc or PhD. In all cases the subject should be Software Engineering, Computer Science or another relevant discipline.
All successful candidates must be returning to university after their Summer Placement, i.e. not in their final year.
Security ClearanceThis role is subject to preâemployment screening in line with the UK Government\âs Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC). For more information and guidance please visit: https://careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/security-and-vetting
Why join usAt Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do, key contributors in shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.
We offer a comprehensive benefits package that supports your wellbeing, learning and development, and workâlife balance:
Time to recharge: Our employees are entitled 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays. As a Summer Placement student you will receive this allowance pro rata.
Secure your future: Awardâwinning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution
Your wellbeing matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employeeâled networks championing inclusion and diversity (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity)
Never stop learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn learning.
For a full list of our company benefits please visit: https://careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/company-benefits
We are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people, communities, and customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.
Be part of something bigger â apply now!
Primary Location: GB â Edinburgh
Contract Type: Fixed term
Hybrid Working: Onsite
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Summer Placement Test Software Engineer employer: Leonardo UK Ltd
Contact Detail:
Leonardo UK Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice đ¤Ť
We think this is how you could land Summer Placement Test Software Engineer
â¨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or past employees on LinkedIn, and ask them about their experiences. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral!
â¨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research common questions for software engineering roles and practice your answers. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to boost your confidence.
â¨Tip Number 3
Show off your projects! Bring along examples of your work to interviews. Whether it's code you've written or projects you've contributed to, demonstrating your skills can really set you apart from the competition.
â¨Tip Number 4
Donât forget to apply through our website! Itâs the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in being part of our team at Leonardo.
We think you need these skills to ace Summer Placement Test Software Engineer
Some tips for your application đŤĄ
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Summer Placement Test Software Engineer. Highlight relevant skills and experiences that align with the job description, especially any projects or coursework related to software engineering.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Mention specific projects or technologies from the job description that excite you and how you can contribute to them.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since strong communication skills are key for this role, make sure your application reflects that. Use clear and concise language, and donât shy away from demonstrating your ability to convey complex ideas simply.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. Itâs the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, and youâll find all the details you need right there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Leonardo UK Ltd
â¨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into the job description and understand the key responsibilities. Familiarise yourself with the technologies mentioned, like radar systems and test programming tools. This will not only help you answer technical questions but also show your genuine interest in the role.
â¨Showcase Your Projects
Be ready to discuss any relevant projects or placements you've done. Highlight how these experiences have prepared you for the challenges of a Summer Placement Test Software Engineer. Use specific examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and adaptability.
â¨Practice Communication
Strong communication skills are crucial, so practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Whether it's explaining a technical concept or discussing your previous work, being able to convey your ideas effectively will set you apart from other candidates.
â¨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the team, projects, and company culture. This shows that you're not just interested in the position but also in how you can contribute to the team and grow within the company. Itâs a great way to demonstrate your enthusiasm and curiosity!
